Katie and Ryan first met while Ryan was visiting a mutual friend (who is one of Katie’s bridesmaids!) in Peterborough where Katie was going to school.  Here’s the most memorable part of the start to their relationship: when they all went to a party together and accidentally went home and left Ryan completely alone at the party!  Luckily, he forgave Katie and returned for another visit a few weekends later.  Katie knew there was something special between them.  They would talk and text regularly in between a few more visits.  But she had a moment of cold feet and told their friend, Natalie, that she wasn’t sure if she was ready to get into any serious relationship.  Natalie had a feeling that something really good was going to happen between the two so she refused Katie’s plea to cancel another weekend visit by Ryan.  In Katie’s words, Natalie said ‘I have a feeling that you will be together for a very long time!”  And she was right! They continued their long distance relationship for 2 years until Katie moved to Toronto to be with Ryan. 

They got engaged last year on one of the most beautiful places on earth: Hawaii.  But their story wasn’t an easy one.  Katie was unexpectedly diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer.  It was a big shock to everyone.  Katie had to go through 6 months of chemotherapy treatment.  Ryan stood by her side the entire time and they got through one of the most difficult trials in their lives.  They had planned to go to Hawaii after her treatment was completed and successful, so that helped them through the process thinking of the waves, hikes and nature that they’d experience soon after.

But Katie had no idea that Ryan was planning on proposing during their trip.  They rented a beautiful airbnb right on the water with incredible sunset views.  On one of their first nights there, they were watching the sunset on the beach, which is where Ryan gave an incredible speech, got down on one knee and asked Katie to marry him.  Katie was in shock for 24 hours and later found out that her whole family and a few friends were in on it!  

These two humans will be getting married this summer at the Fairmont Chateau Montebello.  I only met Katie and Ryan at their engagement shoot as they currently live in Toronto but I feel like I’ve known them for a long time!  Here are a few of my favourite photos from their Wakefield engagement shoot.